HM Prison and Probation Service
202607: Prison Officer - HMP Ranby
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202607: Prison Officer - HMP Ranby
Prison Officer - HMP Ranby
City/Town: Retford/Worksop Region: East Midlands Starting Salary: £36,816 (for a 39-hour week including 20% unsocial working time) Address: HMP Ranby, Retford, DN22 8EU Reference: 19434
Overview
Fast-paced, impactful role protecting the public and supporting prisoners’ rehabilitation. Our prison officers work in a challenging but highly rewarding environment where personal qualities such as empathy, resilience, and communication skills are essential.
If you have the integrity, strength of character, and people skills to build positive relationships amidst difficult circumstances, this role could be the start of a meaningful career.
Why Join the Civil Service as a Prison Officer?
No Typical Prison Officer
Prison officers come from all walks of life:
- Parenting professionals
- Teachers
- Retail or manufacturing backgrounds
- Former armed forces
- Anybody with natural people-skills, resilience, and self-confidence
They share the passion to make a genuine difference by working with prisoners, often at their lowest points.
A Varied, Unique Role
In a single day, you may:
- Mediate difficult, high-stake situations
- Counsel prisoners on rehabilitation and reintegration
- Instruct in educational or skill-building programmes
Your impact extends beyond the prison walls, reducing reoffending and keeping communities safe.
Teamwork and Commitment
Operation requires seamless cooperation and a duty to colleagues in a fast-moving, security-focused environment.
Key Responsibilities
As a prison officer, you will:
- Maintain safety and lawful order under standard/emergency conditions
- Support prisoner rehabilitation and post-release planning
- Resolve tension and conflict professionally
- Ensure compliance with deprivation of liberty measures
- Assist with potential crises, including healthcare emergencies
- Work flexible shift patterns, including evenings, nights, weekends, and public holidays
Eligibility & Requirements
Basic Qualifications
To apply, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements (see below)
- Pass medical and fitness assessments, including:
- Valid eyesight standards
- Hearing standards (without hearing aids, where possible)
- Medical clearance and blood pressure screening
- Have right to work in the UK with a legal immigration status
Additional Considerations
- UK residence requirement for high-security prisons (Category A): Must have lived in the UK for 3+ years.
- Tattoos must not be:
- Offensive or discriminatory
- Violent or otherwise intimidating
- Facial (except for cultural/reliigious/medical reasons).
Top Skills Recruiters Look For
Prisoners seek qualities in candidates:
- Communication and influencing skills
- Integrity and reliability
- Commitment to quality in all interactions
- Effective decision-making under pressure
- Caring and understanding empathy
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Important: No formal qualifications are required; personal attributes are prioritised.
Work Conditions & More
- Work hours:
- 37, 39, or 41 hours/week
- Unsocial hours included in the salary (£36,816 for 39/week)
- Additional paid overtime may be available
- Shift patterns vary but help support a 36-hour working week over time.
- Travel: While a driving license is beneficial, transport is not mandatory but may impact shift flexibility.
Pay & Benefits
Salary
- Per week:
- £34,928 (37 hrs, £788/week)
- £36,816 (39 hrs, provided in this vacancy, £944/week incl us)
- £39,334 (41 hrs, £960/week)
- All salaries fully include applicable allowances.
Beaches & Recongitions
✅ 25 days’ holiday (increasing to 30 days after 10 years). ✅ 1 privilege day per year in lieu of public holidays. ✅ Prisoner insurance for life assurance. ✅ Cycle-to-work scheme and travel assistance. ✅ Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%. ✅ Dedicated employer support during the application process.
Assessment Process
Stage 1: Application
Submit your initial application form. Shortlisted candidates will proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Online Tests
Online Test 1: Judgement & Numerical Skills
Core assessment for basic problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Online Test 2: Values-Based Assessment (VBA)
Interactive test to evaluate if you align with Civil Service values and can demonstrate professional behaviours like "commitment to quality" or "acting with integrity."
Note: If unsuccessful in the VBA within the last 6 months, you may reapply.
Stage 3: Online Assessment Centre (OAC)
A structured interview to test:
- Key prison officer behaviours (communication, teamwork, decision-making etc.)
- English proficiency (written and spoken, Welsh support available)
- Key management and quality service skills
On completion, you will be placed on a merit list.
Mean List & Reapplication
- Your position on the merit list determines ** interviewee invites** as openings arise.
- merit list remains active for 12 months; otherwise, you must reapply.
- Six-month waiting period if unsuccessful after the assessment area.
No feedback is provided unless you reach interview or assessment stage.
** médico & Fitness Requirements**
Successful candidates must attend a UK-based medical & fitness assessment. This includes: ✅ Eyesight evaluation standards ✅ Auditory (hearing) screening ✅ Blood pressure assessment
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Nationality & Visa Restrictions
The Civil Service adheres to UK Immigration Rules. Open to, but not strictly limited to:
- UK nationals
- Republic of Ireland nationals
- Commonwealth citizens with right to work
- Recognised eligible EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, or Liechtenstein nationals see EUSS guidance and eligible Turkish nationals.
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship may be available but is not guaranteed. Current immigration regulations likely discourage sponsorship in this recruitment cycle.
Note: Applicants must firmly establish their right to work in the UK.
Support to Applicants
The MoJ is Disability Confident, offering reasonable adjustments for physical or mental disabilities. Notify if you require modifications in advance of the application process.
For further guidance, see the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Diversity & Inclusion
Open to applicants from vary marginalised communities, including veterans under the Making the Civil Service a Great Place for Veterans scheme.
Veterans may qualify for a guaranteed interview, provided you meet eligibility criteria.
Learn more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans.
Additional Support//
// Civil Service Tenets The Civil Service Code sets ethical expectations across recruitment, conduct, and duty.
Civil Service Commission stands as the right-to-complain body should any recruitment practices breach Civil Service principles.
// Applications Applying via this vacancy does not guarantee promotion. Further Redeployment Interview Scheme opportunities will focus on staff at risk of redundancy due to efficiency concerns or restructures.
Closing Date
10th July 2026
HMP Ranby supports welfare and proactive social engagement in a challenging yet highly dignified sector for public safety.
For further information, candidates should contact the SSCL recruitment team at: 📧: Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com ✆: 0845 241 5358
For additional stability support, visit the Candidate Information Page: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ.
Precision regarding job duties is stated in the savings and security job attachment supporting document.
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